Premier League boss Richard Scudamore has been forced to make a public apology over sexist comments following a Sunday Mirror investigation.

The 54-year-old chief executive said sorry for crude remarks made to other leading figures in football.

In a statement to the Sunday Mirror, he said: “These were private emails exchanged between colleagues and friends of many years.

“They were received and sent from my private and confidential email, which a temporary employee who was with the organisation for only a matter of weeks, should not have accessed and was under no instruction to do so.

“Nonetheless I accept the contents are inappropriate and apologise for any offence caused, particularly to the temporary employee.

“It was an error of judgement that I will not make again.”

Scudamore, who is one of the most powerful men in the sport and responsible for all 20 clubs in the top flight, is spearheading a multi-million pound scheme to attract women and girls to football.

The football boss, who earns over £1million-a-year and receives huge bonuses from Premiership TV deals, has publicly claimed the league strives to be at “the leading edge” of the “whole equality agenda”.

But his shocking personal comments are exposed in the Sunday Mirror.

Shadow Equalities Minister Gloria de Piero last night said: “This is shocking and no one should use deeply offensive language like this.

“Football is a family game, with many women supporters, players and referees. It’s time to kick sexism out of football.”

The Premier League joined forces with the FA and Sports England last year to promote a new FA Women and Girls programme with a £2.4million investment over two years.

As Chief Executive, Scudamore said: “The aim of this programme is to increase participation in women and girls’ football, and the Premier League clubs are in a unique position to do that.”